THE GOLDEN EAGLE - AN IMPRESSIVE BIRD OF PREY
These are some very interesting creatures!
When we were at the Eagle Days event in Springfield we not only were able to see a Bald Eagle up close and learn a lot about that species, but we also were able to see this Golden Eagle too.
While @papa-pepper may know quite a bit about many animals, this is one that I hadn't really encountered any of these and I knew rather little about them. While Golden Eagles are eagles just like the Bald Eagles, there are some distinct differences.
BUILT DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT PREY
For one, Golden Eagles primarily eat mammals and other land creatures, whereas the Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish and waterfowl. This is why many Bald Eagles migrate south in the winter in search of open water when the lakes freeze over up north.
If you compare the Bald Eagle skull and talon on the left in the photo above with the Golden Eagle skull and talon on the right, you will see that the Golden Eagles have talons that are about twice the size of the Bald Eagles'. This is due to the prey that they eat.
The Bald Eagle can grasp fish just fine with the large, sharp talons that it has. However, the Golden Eagles' talons are much larger because they need to be able to rupture vital organs inside mammals when the eagle grabs them from behind/above. These talons enter through the back of the animal, go between the backbone and rib cage, and into the internal organs of their prey. Things like this are some of the things that I was previously unaware of.
INCREDIBLE SPEED AND POWER
While Bald Eagles can dive, they mostly grab their prey while swooping. Golden Eagles, though, can dive at speeds up to 200 mph (320 kph). This allows them to pull off some pretty amazing attacks. Did you know that Golden Eagles can kill animals as large as deer and mountain goats?
It's true, but it may not be in the manner that you think. While some people, especially on the internet, periodically show eagles carrying away large prey, this does not happen in reality. An eagle can only carry something about half of its weight, so an eight pound eagle could carry a four pound mammal or fish, but that is about it.
While the eagles would attack smaller prey by grasping it with their talons, for larger prey, they actually "punch" the animal. A dive-bombing Golden Eagle with its talons tucked away and toes curled up into "fists" slamming into a mountain goat on a cliff ledge at 200 mph gets the job done. The animal is knocked off balance, topples over the edge, and the meat is "tenderized" on the way down. Then, the eagles flies down in to the ravine or valley and eats it fill, leaving the rest or scavengers.
I can't imagine dying that way. I'd heard that eagles could kill larger mammals like that, but I did not know the method that they used. Anyway, it was amazing to see one of these creatures in person, and it was a blessing to have my whole family learn even more about the animals that live upon this earth with us. I hope that you learned something too!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-eagle-days
Until next time…
Don’t waste your time online, invest it with steemit.com
I have learned a lot from this post. I did not know the differences between the Bald and Golden Eagles. Now I know. Both are certainly birds of prey but I didn't realise that their prey was different. They are majestic birds and deserve our respect.
Cool! I'm glad that I shared it!
We have these around our property all the time. Both Bald and Golden Eagles as well as Osprey. I need to get a new camera so I can start getting the pictures I would like to get. The other day we had 4 Golden eagles flying just outside our window...huge birds. A few years ago we had over 300 Bald eagles on our river in just an 8 mile stretch. It was quite the show. We have watched them pluck fish (some really nice ones) out of the river, carry off snakes, rabbits, other birds. About 5 years ago, we were driving to church one morning, and I noticed way up in the air, two bald eagles going into the mating clinch where they fall together. They disappeared behind a mountain. As I drove around the hill, all of a sudden, literally inches above the hood of my truck, they separated and flew off, one to my left and one to my right. One of the neatest things I have ever seen in the world of birds.
I like Eagles a lot, @papa-pepper , my dearest wild man thanks for sharing info about the golden eagle. These creatures are so beautful , intelligent and strong ...an impressive bird of prey indeed.
I mentioned you on my latest post about branding...feel free to see it. I wish you more success
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey, mainly hares, rabbits, marmots and other ground
That is a fabulous picture of one gliding along, so lovely to see (from afar), I'd never want to see one up close if it was on the hunt. :D
God bless you. :D Have an awesome day! :D
this hawk is very handsome and great, @papa-pepper.
That is one big magestic bird
Very nice photos!
very nice papa-pepper, visit my blog, kaloe there
I wondered, and I did some research on it. I would like to share with you
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals that are its main prey. Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.
I there much difference between large hawks and eagles?